Sustainability Flashcards
1
Q
What is COP26 and what does COP stand for
A
- COP is the Conference of the Parties and is attended by countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - a treaty agreed in 1994.
- The 2021 meeting was the 26th meeting which is why it’s called COP26.
2
Q
What happened at COP26
A
- At COP26 a newly established Glasgow Financial Alliance was announced for Net Zero carbon emissions of $130 trillion of private capital to accelerate the transition to a net-zero carbon economy.
- The private sector is now under more intense scrutiny from both clients and institutional investors on ensuring net-zero commitments are robust and legitimate.
- There are new requirements for all listed companies in the UK to produce net-zero transition plans by 2023.
3
Q
What is your understanding of sustainability
A
- To meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs.
4
Q
What are the key principles of sustainability
A
- Social - Building healthy communities with sufficient numbers and range of buildings.
- Economical - Build strong, responsive, competitive economies ensuring sufficient land and right types.
- Environmental: - Contributing towards the protection and enhancement of our natural, built and historic environment.
5
Q
What different code of practice are you aware of for measuring
sustainability?
A
BREEAM (Life Cycle Assessment).
o Sets best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings through specification, design, construction and operation.
o BREEAM Stands for the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment
Method.
o Rating are:
Outstanding.
Excellent.
Very Good.
Good.
Pass.
Unclassified.
- SKA Ratings
o An RICS Environmental assessment method for non-domestic fit outs such as office refurbishments.
o The scheme assesses fit out projects against a set of sustainability good practice criteria, known
- LEED (Life Cycle Assessment).
o LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
o It is a USA equivalent of BREEAM.
o Ratings are:-
LEED Certified.
Silver.
Gold.
Platinum.
- This method reviews embodied aspects of carbon emissions as well as life cycle assessment during
construction and operation.
6
Q
What is the Paris Agreement
A
- The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty concerning climate change.
- It was adopted by nearly every nation and came into affect in 2016.
- The goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius whilst targeting levels below 1.5 degrees Celsius when compared to pre-industrial levels.
- The agreement commits all major emitting countries to cut their climate pollution.
- It also creates a framework for the transparent monitoring and reporting of each individual countries
progress.
7
Q
What is BER
A
- Building Energy Rating
- Measures Energy Rating of Buildings in Ireland
- A - G
- Exempt
- Small Standalone (50m2)
- Protected Structures
- Religious Buildings
8
Q
What is the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD)
A
- European Legislations
- Aimed at making buildings more energy efficient
- Goal
- Reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings in EU. Buildings are the single largest energy users in Europe
- Target
-Fully decarbonise buildings by 2050 - Measures
- Minimum energy requirements for new builds and renovations. All new buildings from 2021 need to be nearly zero energy
- Energy Performance Certs (EPC) to be issued when Building is sold or rented
9
Q
What is Irish Green Building Council (IGBC)
A
- Non-profit organisation
- Sustainability of the built environment
- Achieved through the following:
- Collaboration: Bringing together various stakeholders in the industry (universities to construction workers
- Education: training to promote sustainable building
- Advocacy: Lobbying the government
- Innovation: Supporting development of new tech
- Measurement: Creating tools to measure progress
10
Q
What is a LEED Building
A
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
- Emphasises a buildings environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.
- Focus: Reducing a buildings environmental impact throughout its life cycle, from construction and operation to material selection. And waste reduction
- Benefits: Lower energy and water consumption, improved indoor air quality, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- Certs: Silver, Gold, Platinum
Based on how many points building collects from meeting criteria.
11
Q
What is WELL Building Standard
A
- Issued by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)
- Focuses on creating buildings that prioritize the health and wellness of occupants
- Looks at factors like air and water quality, lighting, access to healthy food options, and fitness facilities
- Doesn’t have tiers like LEED, but offers different certification paths for new and existing buildings
